Last Updated on May 2, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
This article is a firsthand experience with the Spain Non Lucrative Visa application at the Miami consulate, offering valuable insights and advice.
“For those who are attempting to get their NLV through BLS in Miami and are frustrated by the inability to secure an appointment, we decided to go in person, even though we were told by BLS that walk-ins were not available.
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →We arrived at BLS in Miami a few minutes before 7 AM; their office is open at 8 AM. When we arrived, there were already four people in line… So my suggestion would be to go as early as 6:30 AM or 6:45 if you want to be sure you are seen. By the time we left, there were 25 or 30 people in line.
Once inside, we were seen relatively quickly, and our interviewer could not have been nicer. Because we hired a lawyer out of Spain to assist us in preparing our packets, we were well organized, which the BLS individual greatly appreciated.
We were only given one piece of information from the lawyer in Spain that was inaccurate and was related to our E-70 and EX-01 forms. We were told to leave them blank, but when we got to our interview, we needed to put in the Spanish address for the home we are buying. It was not a big deal and our interviewer was very pleasant about it.
The entire experience once we were seen by the interviewer took approximately 35 to 40 minutes.
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Explore Cities →Upon our departure, she let us know that responses are currently tracking 3 to 4 weeks and not to call BLS during this time to check on our status. She gave us a very important document that has numbers that allow one to look up the status of their application online.
I hope this will be of help to someone who is currently experiencing anxiety about the inability to get an appointment. I would do as we did, take the bull by the horns and go first thing in the morning, and ask to be seen as a walk-in.
My advice also would be to dress professionally, smile a lot, be very patient and very courteous with the interviewer and hopefully you will have good luck in the same way we did!”
Questions and Answers
Q: Did you have a pre-filled Model 790-052 form?
A: Some of our forms were pre-filled by the Spanish law firm. What was missing was the address of our new place in Spain… I don’t know why the Spanish lawyer never requested that, but the interviewer told us we should have filled it in. Fortunately, I had it at the ready, and it was very easy to fill in, even though the space on the form to fill it in is counterintuitive and one must write over certain places on the form where it would not seem you should write.
Q: Where can I find the 790-052 form?
A: You can find the blank one here and just print it out and fill it out in pen: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Documents/Formulario%20790-052.pdf
Q: Can I use an Airbnb address on the application?
A: Multiple members confirmed this is acceptable. One member used an Airbnb address without any issue. Another gave a hotel address in Málaga and BLS never asked about it. Yet another explained that Miami BLS doesn’t require a secured address—just city or province. Some used their U.S. address on the 790 form, which was accepted.
Q: How much does hiring a lawyer cost for the NLV application?
A: One member asked about the fees, stating they were quoted $3,000 for the main applicant and $1,500 for the spouse, totaling $4,500. No final confirmation was shared in the conversation.
Comments
“We used Miami as well, also live in Atlanta. Turned our NLV paperwork in on April 30th and received a text that ours is approved yesterday and ready for pick up in Miami. 14 days.”
“We live in the lovely city of Miami. What you describe is fairly typical of them. Them letting you have an appointment when you booked the wrong one was very nice of them.”
“Very helpful! Thank you 🙏”
“Thank you for sharing! Good luck!”
“Very helpful”
Conclusion
This firsthand experience provides a helpful reminder that persistence and preparation can pay off when applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa through the Miami BLS office.
Despite being told walk-ins weren’t accepted, arriving early and being respectful led to a successful appointment. The process took about 40 minutes and a decision is expected within 3–4 weeks.
Key takeaways
- Walk-ins may be possible if you arrive early (before 7 AM).
- Hiring a Spanish immigration lawyer can help organize your documents, though you should double-check address requirements on forms like E-70 and EX-01.
- The address in Spain can be a temporary one, such as a hotel or Airbnb.
You can check the status of your application online with the provided reference number.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experiences and contributions shared by members of the Spainguru community. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.
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